Happy Earth Day! We thought we'd celebrate by sharing some incredible good news stories about Howe Sound.

Volunteers and organizations from around Howe Sound are coordinating efforts to clean up the debris caused by our extreme winter storms.

On Monday, the BC NDP sided with the BC Liberals to vote 80–3 to approve new fossil fuel subsidies to prop up LNG export projects like Woodfibre LNG and LNG Canada.

We've been paying close attention to Woodfibre LNG, and the rumours are concerning.

MEDIA ADVISORY:

Orca Celebration calls on Minister Heyman to Protect Howe Sound

Last year My Sea to Sky created a heart to launch our campaign to Protect Howe Sound (watch the video). This year we're going big, like really big, as we create an orca out of people.

My Sea to Sky is proud to be partnering with the Squamish Street Market to Celebrate Orcas and call on Minister George Heyman to Protect Howe Sound.

Media is invited to attend. Photos and video footage will be provided immediately following the event.

WHAT: Art meets activism as we create an orca out of people with the stunning Stawamus Chief as a backdrop.

WHO: My Sea to Sky and Squamish Street Market

WHEN: Sunday September 16, 2018 3pm - 4pm, followed by a picnic celebration at O'Siyam Pavilion

WHERE: Xwu’nekw Park and Canoe Shelter (pronounced whoo-Nay-Oak), on the waterfront at the corner of Loggers Lane and Main Street in Squamish (see map).

WHY: After decades of industrial damage, orcas have returned to Howe Sound in the last few years as the ecosystem has recovered. My Sea to Sky is calling on Minister George Heyman to recognize the work that has been accomplished to begin to restore Howe Sound's fragile ecosystems, and to protect Howe Sound for future generations.

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DOWNLOAD POSTER, VIDEO, AND GRAPHIC FILES HERE

CONTACTS

Tracey Saxby -- My Sea To Sky
604.892.7501 tracey@myseatosky.org

http://www.myseatosky.org/

About My Sea to Sky

My Sea To Sky is a people-powered environmental organization that was founded in 2014 to defend, protect, and restore Howe Sound. We actively advocate against unsustainable industrial projects that threaten the environmental recovery of Howe Sound, and are working to develop a shared vision and plan to protect Howe Sound for future generations, and reduce human caused threats to Howe Sound. We do this by organizing educational events; coordinating research; building partnerships and respectful relationships; lifting up First Nations voices and culture; and facilitating public engagement with our municipal, provincial, and federal governments. We aim to inspire our community to become activists, and make it as simple as possible for people to take action at critical moments.

Our mission

We inspire and empower British Columbians to safeguard the spectacular natural legacy of Howe Sound.

Our vision

We envision a future in which Howe Sound’s (Átl’ka7tsem) thriving ecosystems support regenerative communities.

Our strategic priorities (2018 to 2023)

1. Defend: Stop destructive projects that threaten the environmental integrity of Howe Sound.
2. Protect: Develop a shared vision and plan to protect Howe Sound for future generations.
3. Restore: Reduce human-caused threats to Howe Sound and support ecosystem restoration efforts.

MEDIA ADVISORY:

Orca Celebration cancelled due to logistics with weather

My Sea to Sky regrets to announce that the Orca Celebration planned for Sunday 16th September is cancelled due to logistical challenges with the weather.

The Squamish Street Market will proceed, rain or shine, from 10am till 6pm as planned on Sunday 16th September, with live music, beer garden, food vendors, and street market.  

My Sea to Sky hopes to partner with the Squamish Street Market again in 2019, and will ensure that any future events are better weather-proofed.

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CONTACTS

Tracey Saxby -- My Sea To Sky
604.892.7501 tracey@myseatosky.org

Bianca Peters -- Squamish Street Market
604.815.8725 bianca@bpcom.ca

http://www.myseatosky.org/

About My Sea to Sky

My Sea To Sky is a people-powered environmental organization that was founded in 2014 to defend, protect, and restore Howe Sound. We actively advocate against unsustainable industrial projects that threaten the environmental recovery of Howe Sound, and are working to develop a shared vision and plan to protect Howe Sound for future generations, and reduce human caused threats to Howe Sound. We do this by organizing educational events; coordinating research; building partnerships and respectful relationships; lifting up First Nations voices and culture; and facilitating public engagement with our municipal, provincial, and federal governments. We aim to inspire our community to become activists, and make it as simple as possible for people to take action at critical moments.

Our mission

We inspire and empower British Columbians to safeguard the spectacular natural legacy of Howe Sound.

Our vision

We envision a future in which Howe Sound’s (Átl’ka7tsem) thriving ecosystems support regenerative communities.

Our strategic priorities (2018 to 2023)

1. Defend: Stop destructive projects that threaten the environmental integrity of Howe Sound.
2. Protect: Develop a shared vision and plan to protect Howe Sound for future generations.
3. Restore: Reduce human-caused threats to Howe Sound and support ecosystem restoration efforts.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2nd November 2018

"Trudeau: Pull up your socks on climate change"

Approximately 50 people stood in the rain outside Gleneagles Golf Course in West Vancouver last night, determined to send a message to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was scheduled to attend a $1,500-per-plate Liberal fundraising event inside.

With signs reading "Trudeau: Pull up your socks on climate change!" and "Climate Action Now!" and "LNG = Climate Change," concerned citizens created a chorus with drums and pots and pans as they waited for more than three hours for the Prime Minister's convoy to appear.

"Scientists have warned us that we have twelve years to limit climate change catastrophe," said Tracey Saxby, marine scientist and Executive Director of My Sea to Sky. "People are angry about the lack of real climate action from our leaders, and we're scared about the very real consequences that climate change is already having on our communities.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government continues to expand fossil fuel production, by approving Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export facilities, and the recent Kinder Morgan pipeline purchase. This is not climate leadership."

The federal Liberals continue to cave in to pressure from the fossil fuel industry, with the most recent proposal to lower the carbon tax on coal burning power plants to $1 per tonne.

"The Federal government is allowing the biggest carbon polluters to continue destroying our climate. Our children will be paying the price for that pollution."

As the Federal election approaches in 2019, citizens warn that this kind of action is just the beginning.

"This is a climate emergency," Saxby said. "We need urgent action from all levels of government to immediately reduce carbon pollution, and retrain oil and gas workers to help support the transition to a renewable energy economy. Our future depends on it."

Neither the Prime Minister nor local MPs Pamela Goldsmith-Jones or Jonathan Wilkinson stopped to speak with protesters.

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DOWNLOAD PHOTOS HERE

For interviews please contact:

Tracey Saxby -- My Sea To Sky
604.892.7501 tracey@myseatosky.org

http://www.myseatosky.org/

About My Sea to Sky

My Sea To Sky is a people-powered environmental organization that was founded in 2014 to defend, protect, and restore Howe Sound. We actively advocate against unsustainable industrial projects that threaten the environmental recovery of Howe Sound, and are working to develop a shared vision and plan to protect Howe Sound for future generations, and reduce human caused threats to Howe Sound. We do this by organizing educational events; coordinating research; building partnerships and respectful relationships; lifting up First Nations voices and culture; and facilitating public engagement with our municipal, provincial, and federal governments. We aim to inspire our community to become activists, and make it as simple as possible for people to take action at critical moments.

Our mission

We inspire and empower British Columbians to safeguard the spectacular natural legacy of Howe Sound.

Our vision

We envision a future in which Howe Sound’s (Átl’ka7tsem) thriving ecosystems support regenerative communities.

Our strategic priorities (2018 to 2023)

1. Defend: Stop destructive projects that threaten the environmental integrity of Howe Sound.
2. Protect: Develop a shared vision and plan to protect Howe Sound for future generations.
3. Restore: Reduce human-caused threats to Howe Sound and support ecosystem restoration efforts.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 23rd November 2018

We will continue to fight: Woodfibre LNG is not a done deal

Squamish Nation has voted to approve the Impact Benefit Agreement with Woodfibre LNG, FortisBC, and the Provincial Government, fulfilling a key condition imposed as part of the Nation's environmental assessment process.

We respect Squamish Nation’s decision, but recognize that this was a split vote.

My Sea to Sky remains steadfastly opposed to Woodfibre LNG.

We have grave concerns about the impacts that Woodfibre LNG will have on wildlife in Howe Sound, the lack of safety regulations for LNG tankers in Canadian waters, the costs of air pollution to human health, the subsidies that are unfairly propping up a sunset industry, and the upstream and local climate impacts of this project.

"Scientists have warned us that we have twelve years to limit climate catastrophe," said Tracey Saxby, marine scientist and Executive Director of My Sea to Sky. "People are scared about the very real consequences that climate change is already having on our communities. We cannot build new fossil fuel infrastructure when we are facing a climate crisis that threatens the future of our planet."

"Nearly 18,000 people around Howe Sound have signed a declaration in opposition to Woodfibre LNG. This project does not have social license to proceed and we will continue to fight for our future."

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For interviews please contact:

Tracey Saxby -- My Sea To Sky
604.892.7501 tracey@myseatosky.org

http://www.myseatosky.org/

SEE SQUAMISH NATION'S LIST OF 25 CONDITIONS HERE

http://www.squamish.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/SN_Newsletter_V3_26Oct2016-01288844.pdf

SEE THE HOWE SOUND DECLARATION HERE

http://www.myseatosky.org/declaration

About My Sea to Sky

My Sea To Sky is a people-powered environmental organization that was founded in 2014 to defend, protect, and restore Howe Sound. We actively advocate against unsustainable industrial projects that threaten the environmental recovery of Howe Sound, and are working to develop a shared vision and plan to protect Howe Sound for future generations, and reduce human caused threats to Howe Sound. We do this by organizing educational events; coordinating research; building partnerships and respectful relationships; lifting up First Nations voices and culture; and facilitating public engagement with our municipal, provincial, and federal governments. We aim to inspire our community to become activists, and make it as simple as possible for people to take action at critical moments.

Our mission

We inspire and empower British Columbians to safeguard the spectacular natural legacy of Howe Sound.

Our vision

We envision a future in which Howe Sound’s (Átl’ka7tsem) thriving ecosystems support regenerative communities.

Our strategic priorities (2018 to 2023)

1. Defend: Stop destructive projects that threaten the environmental integrity of Howe Sound.
2. Protect: Develop a shared vision and plan to protect Howe Sound for future generations.

Restore: Reduce human-caused threats to Howe Sound and support ecosystem restoration efforts.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 29th November 2018

Woodfibre LNG is a bad deal for BC

On Wednesday 21st November, Squamish Nation voted 8-6 in a contentious decision to approve an Impact Benefit Agreement with Woodfibre LNG, FortisBC, BC Hydro, and the Provincial Government, fulfilling a key condition imposed as part of the Nation's environmental assessment process.

Details of this agreement have been leaked via The Breaker News, and include lands, jobs, and $225.6 million in cash payments over 40 years, averaging almost $4.7 million a year.

"Woodfibre LNG is a bad deal for BC," stated Eoin Finn, Chair of My Sea to Sky, a people-powered environmental organization that has been working to stop Woodfibre LNG since 2014. "This is a giveaway of public money and resources, to a foreign-owned company owned by Sukanto Tanoto, an Indonesian billionaire whose companies have a history of tax evasion and human rights violations."

"This shows just how far the Provincial government is willing to go to prop up an LNG export industry that is simply not viable without massive subsidies and tax breaks. This is scandalous."

My Sea to Sky remains steadfastly opposed to Woodfibre LNG.

We have grave concerns about the impacts that Woodfibre LNG will have on wildlife in Howe Sound, the lack of safety regulations for LNG tankers in Canadian waters, the costs of air pollution to human health, the subsidies that are unfairly propping up a sunset industry, and the upstream and local climate impacts of this project.

"Scientists have warned us that we have twelve years to limit climate catastrophe," said Tracey Saxby, marine scientist and Executive Director of My Sea to Sky. "People are scared about the very real consequences that climate change is already having on our communities. We cannot build new fossil fuel infrastructure when we are facing a climate crisis that threatens the future of our planet."

"Woodfibre LNG is a bad deal for British Columbians, a bad deal for Howe Sound, and a bad deal for our climate."

Nearly 18,000 people around Howe Sound have signed a declaration in opposition to Woodfibre LNG.

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For interviews please contact:

Eoin Finn -- Chair, My Sea To Sky
604.715.7991 efinn@shaw.ca

Tracey Saxby -- Executive Director, My Sea To Sky
604.892.7501 tracey@myseatosky.org

http://www.myseatosky.org/

SEE THE BREAKER NEWS ARTICLE

https://thebreaker.news/news/woodfibre-squamish-deal/

SEE THE LIST OF TAX BREAKS AND SUBSIDIES ALREADY GRANTED TO WOODFIBRE LNG

https://www.squamishchief.com/opinion/letters/letter-about-lng-subsidies-1.23470075

SEE SQUAMISH NATION'S LIST OF 25 CONDITIONS HERE

http://www.squamish.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/SN_Newsletter_V3_26Oct2016-01288844.pdf

SEE THE HOWE SOUND DECLARATION HERE

http://www.myseatosky.org/declaration

About My Sea to Sky

My Sea To Sky is a people-powered environmental organization that was founded in 2014 to defend, protect, and restore Howe Sound. We actively advocate against unsustainable industrial projects that threaten the environmental recovery of Howe Sound, and are working to develop a shared vision and plan to protect Howe Sound for future generations, and reduce human caused threats to Howe Sound. We do this by organizing educational events; coordinating research; building partnerships and respectful relationships; lifting up First Nations voices and culture; and facilitating public engagement with our municipal, provincial, and federal governments. We aim to inspire our community to become activists, and make it as simple as possible for people to take action at critical moments.

Our mission

We inspire and empower British Columbians to safeguard the spectacular natural legacy of Howe Sound.

Our vision

We envision a future in which Howe Sound’s (Átl’ka7tsem) thriving ecosystems support regenerative communities.

Our strategic priorities (2018 to 2023)

1. Defend: Stop destructive projects that threaten the environmental integrity of Howe Sound.
2. Protect: Develop a shared vision and plan to protect Howe Sound for future generations.
3. Restore: Reduce human-caused threats to Howe Sound and support ecosystem restoration efforts.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 25th March 2019

New fossil fuel subsidies jeopardize climate action

On Monday, the BC legislature voted 80–3 to approve new fossil fuel subsidies to prop up LNG export projects like Woodfibre LNG and LNG Canada. This latest tax giveaway is in addition to subsidized power rates, elimination of the LNG royalty tax, reduced provincial income tax, and exemptions from carbon tax increases, to name a few. The total tax giveaway has been calculated at over $6 billion.

"The tax breaks and subsidies that have already been granted to this fledgling LNG industry are irresponsible and reckless," said Tracey Saxby, marine scientist and Executive Director of My Sea to Sky. "Subsidizing a new fossil fuel industry when we're facing a climate crisis is fracking crazy."

While LNG has been promoted as "clean" and "green" by the Provincial government, experts say BC LNG will create more greenhouse gases than coal due to leaking methane from fracking, and delay the transition to renewables.

"Scientists have warned us that we have twelve years to avoid climate catastrophe. People are scared about the very real consequences that climate change is already having on our communities. Incentivizing fracking and the rapid export of BC's natural gas seriously threatens BC's ability to meet its climate targets."

The 18.9 Mt of greenhouse gas reductions proposed in B.C's climate plan (CleanBC) still fall 25 percent short of achieving our legislated 2030 target of 25.4 Mt to meet the Paris Agreement.

To achieve the new emissions target outlined by the recent IPCC report, we need to reduce B.C.’s emissions by 27.9 Mt by 2030 (45 percent below 2010 levels). That means the shortfall between B.C’s climate plan (Clean BC) and where we need to get to according to the IPCC is now a total of 9 Mt.  Projected emissions from the two approved LNG projects in British Columbia (Woodfibre LNG and LNG Canada) are 9.1 Mt annually. If it proceeds, LNG Canada will be the single biggest source of carbon pollution in B.C.

"We need to acknowledge the cognitive dissonance of our governments: while we work to reduce our emissions, our Provincial and Federal governments continue to incentivize new emission intensive projects like LNG. This is a disappointing turnaround for the BC NDP, who spent years criticizing the BC Liberals for subsidizing LNG projects."

"Imagine if instead these incentives supported the transition to a renewable energy future. We cannot continue to build new fossil fuel infrastructure when we are facing a climate crisis that threatens the future of our planet and human existence."

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For interviews please contact:

Tracey Saxby -- Executive Director, My Sea To Sky
604.892.7501 tracey@myseatosky.org

http://www.myseatosky.org/

SEE THE LIST OF TAX BREAKS AND SUBSIDIES ALREADY GRANTED TO WOODFIBRE LNG

https://www.squamishchief.com/opinion/letters/letter-about-lng-subsidies-1.23470075

About My Sea to Sky

My Sea To Sky is a people-powered environmental organization that was founded in 2014 to defend, protect, and restore Howe Sound. We actively advocate against unsustainable industrial projects that threaten the environmental recovery of Howe Sound, and are working to develop a shared vision and plan to protect Howe Sound for future generations, and reduce human caused threats to Howe Sound. We do this by organizing educational events; coordinating research; building partnerships and respectful relationships; lifting up First Nations voices and culture; and facilitating public engagement with our municipal, provincial, and federal governments. We aim to inspire our community to become activists, and make it as simple as possible for people to take action at critical moments.

Our mission

We inspire and empower British Columbians to safeguard the spectacular natural legacy of Howe Sound.

Our vision

We envision a future in which Howe Sound’s (Átl’ka7tsem) thriving ecosystems support regenerative communities.

Our strategic priorities (2018 to 2023)

1. Defend: Stop destructive projects that threaten the environmental integrity of Howe Sound.
2. Protect: Develop a shared vision and plan to protect Howe Sound for future generations.
3. Restore: Reduce human-caused threats to Howe Sound and support ecosystem restoration efforts.

As Woodfibre LNG is gearing up for construction, what actions are you willing to take to help us stop the project? Check all that apply:

Many people have been arguing that Woodfibre LNG should not be an election issue, however here are four reasons why we believe it needs to be:

Howe Sound is full of everyday heroes, just like you and me. People that are willing to speak up and work together to protect this beautiful place we all call home.

When you make a monthly donation to My Sea to Sky, you are supporting our campaigns to defend, protect, and restore Howe Sound. 

Wearing a cape is optional.

Why is it important to make a monthly donation?

• Our power is in our advocacy, but that means that My Sea to Sky isn't eligible for most grants. Instead, we rely on our amazing My Sea to Sky community for small donations that provide the majority of our funding.
• Monthly donations help us know in advance how much money we have available to plan our campaigns, maintain our communications, and organize our volunteers.
• We can be politically independent and accountable to you, our grassroots base.

OTHER WAYS TO DONATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

28th November 2017

SQUAMISH, BC — My Sea to Sky is frustrated the provincial government is once again reviewing a major project without independent data — this time for wild salmon that are at risk from Burnco’s proposed gravel mine on McNab Creek.

“The environmental assessment process is completely broken,” said Tracey Saxby, marine scientist and Volunteer Executive Director of My Sea to Sky. “Public engagement is nothing more than a checkbox on a form, and the process relies on science that is bought and paid for by the proponent. It’s a clear conflict of interest.”

Last month, the Province announced it would review the practice of professional reliance which allows companies to hire consultants to determine the impacts of proposed projects. It’s the same policy that allowed Woodfibre LNG to ignore herring spawn in Howe Sound thanks to the lack of baseline data.

“There is no point engaging in this broken process, so we decided to bypass the process and email the Ministers directly,” said Saxby. “This is a real opportunity for the government to fix the mistakes of the previous government and ensure that our wild salmon are protected.”

This is the first environmental assessment decision to be made by the new BC NDP government. More than 2,600 people sent a letter to the Ministers, calling for them to:

1. Initiate a review of the environmental assessment process for the Burnco gravel mine thus far.
2. Conduct a robust and fully independent baseline assessment of wild salmon populations in McNab Creek.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has already refused permits, twice, for a gravel mine at McNab Creek, due to the impacts to this critical salmon spawning habitat.

“We need the province to press pause until it restores public trust in the process,” said Saxby. “We can dig up gravel anywhere, but our estuaries are irreplaceable.”

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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

Tracey Saxby, marine scientist and Volunteer Executive Director of My Sea to Sky
604-892-7501, tracey@myseatosky.org